A study of volunteer ambulance squads

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medical Services
• Public Health Policy
• Rural Healthcare Management

Background:

• Volunteer ambulance services were prevalent in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, in 1973.
• A significant portion of emergency medical services relied on volunteer personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the organizational structure and operational functions of ambulance squads.
• To estimate the effectiveness of these services for regional planning.
• To identify challenges faced by volunteer emergency medical services.

Main Methods:

• Conducted personal on-site interviews with all 37 ambulance squads in two Pennsylvania counties.
• Examined squad resources, personnel, training, equipment, record-keeping, finances, and communication capabilities.

Main Results:

• Significant variations in resources and sophistication were observed among the 34 volunteer squads.
• Rural squads were frequently underfinanced, with low call volumes and delayed response times.
• Inadequacies in personnel numbers and training were noted in some squads.

Conclusions:

• Volunteer services present distinct advantages and disadvantages, particularly in rural settings.
• Addressing underfunding and training gaps is crucial for improving rural emergency medical services.
• Strategies for enhancing the quality of rural emergency medical care require further development and implementation.